Distributed generation: definition, benefits and issues

This paper starts from the observation that there is a renewed interest in small-scale electricity generation. The authors start with a survey of existing small-scale generation technologies and then move on with a discussion of the major benefits and issues of small-scale electricity generation. Different technologies are evaluated in terms of their possible contribution to the listed benefits and issues. Small-scale generation is also commonly called distributed generation, embedded generation or decentralised generation. In a final section, an attempt is made to define the latter concepts more precisely. It appears that there is no consensus on a precise definition as the concept encompasses many technologies and applications.Distributed generation, embedded generation, electricity

Municipal energy management model for Cuban first level municipalities

The Government of Cuba proposed in the year 2011 an update of the economic and social model, where the management of energy is an element of influence in the economy of the country. This led to the approval of a policy for the development of renewable sources and the efficient use of energy. Another important aspect is the National Plan for development until 2030, which considers the use of natural resources including energy, environmental impacts, and its link with the local development. However, in the municipalities, there are few studies on local energy management (LEM), and they lack the essential elements to guarantee it. This study defined the elements of LEM for the management models of local governance in Cuba, the energy context, and the scenario for the development of LEM in the country. The results suggest a model for LEM that integrates its elements to the functions of local government in energy decisions that influence the economy, society, the environment and local development

Heating ventilation and air-conditioned configurations for hotels an approach review for the design and exploitation

The tourism sector is one of the main worldwide economic sectors with sustained growth, demonstrating its strength and resilience. In this sector, energy uses have increased to ensure quality, guest comfort, and rate level requirements being a building with great energy consumption. Several factors influence and can produce a significant variation in hotel consumption even in facilities located in the same region; the difference in a four-star hotel can reach 114 kWh/m2 /year. This paper deals with related aspects such as hotel design, operation, type of service, occupancy patterns, operating point and efficiency of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system where 30 to 50% of the energy is consumed. Also, previous works based on the implementation of non-conventional energy resources such as photovoltaics projects to replace fuel dependence and high costs in electricity bills were reviewed. where there are savings of up to 30% in electricity and 60% in gas consumption. However, the initial capital investment and payback period are high and require new features to be considered in these facilities

On the evolution of “cleaner production” as a concept and a practice

“Cleaner Production“(CP) is about less and more efficient energy and materials use and the substitution of more harmful products (for the environment and health) by less dangerous ones. CP was the reply of the industry to the call for sustainable development as launched by the WCED (1987) and further elaborated in Rio's Agenda 21 (UN, 1992). During the past 25 years, the concept was put in practice. During this period it changed in scope, methods, and application area. This provided a deeper socio-economic impact to an idea that was originally launched to awaken industry on its environmental responsibilities. This paper provides a review of essentials that contributed to the fundamental changes in CP during the most recent quarter of a century. It takes off with a review of CP definitions illustrating the changes of the content. Changes in scope are exemplified with the increasing importance of “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR). This includes that post-modern companies have not only responsibilities on their economic performance and the environment, but should also act on issues including human rights and resources, business ethics, and community involvement. The links between CP and green and circular economy are indicated. The CP approach is increasingly applied outside the industry. CP for sustainable tourism is discussed in more detail but is only an example of the wider application in e.g. agriculture or health services

A New Energy Performance Indicator for Energy Management System of a Wheat Mill Plant

In this paper, a predictive tool for the energy consumption of wheat milling process using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and a new Energy Performance Indicator (EnPI) is proposed. This EnPI does not only consider the production of flour but also the particle size of flour and added water for softening wheat. The results of the study, carried out in a wheat mill plant in Cuba, show a good coincidence between the predicted and real energy consumption for the developed model. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of EnPI proposed as a tool for management and energy savings in the company under study. Due to the complexity of the proposed model, for obtaining the baseline and estimating the energy saving potential, a probabilistic method was used. It was statistically demonstrated by the determination index (R2), that the new proposed model is superior to the conventional model of energy vs. production. Keywords: energy performance indicators, energy efficiency, wheat milling JEL Classifications: K32, L9

Concrete Transition Issues Towards a Fully-Fledged Use of Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier (De concrete transitieproblematiek naar het volwaardig gebruik van waterstof als energiedrager toe)

Het doel van dit werk is de ontwikkeling van een realistische en doenbar e roadmap naar een mogelijke waterstofeconomie toe, waarbij de concrete transitieproblematiek bekeken wordt en oplossingen worden aangereikt. Di t omvat de uitbouw van een nieuwe waterstofinfrastructuur en het in reke ning brengen van de volledige waterstofketen met inbegrip van productie, transport, opslag, distributie en eindgebruik. De vooropgestelde methodologie steunt grotendeels op het bijmengen van w aterstof in aardgasleidingen. De commerciële doorbraak en beschikbaarhei d van brandstofcellen is dan niet langer een vereiste en de impasse tuss en het gebrek aan infrastructuur en het gebrek aan een vraag naar waters tof wordt opgelost. Naast een kwalitatieve, maar goed onderbouwde benadering, wordt vervolge ns een model ontworpen dat de ontwikkeling van een dergelijke, prille wa terstof-infrastructuur kwantificeert en optimaliseert. Het model laat to e nieuwe, belangrijke inzichten te verwerven die van groot belang zijn v oor de uitbouw van een waterstofeconomie.In een laatste deel wordt de mo gelijke interactie tussen een nieuw te ontwikkelen waterstofinfrastructu ur en een reeds bestaande elektriciteitsinfrastructuur onderzocht. Hierb ij wordt vooral aandacht besteed aan de co-productie van waterstof en el ektriciteit in steenkoolvergassingscentrales.nrpages: 204status: publishe

Embedded Generation: a global approach to energy balance and grip power quality and security : Primary energy supply and electric output - CHP model

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Concrete transition issues towards a fully-fledged use of hydrogen as an energy carrier: methodology and modelling

In many visions and roadmaps, there is a broad agreement that fuel cells – both for stationary and mobile applications – are the key technology to allow the development of a hydrogen infrastructure. Furthermore, this development is generally thought to be based on a gradual, decentralised evolution. Nevertheless, in this paper it is argued that, taking into account the entire hydrogen chain (production, transport, storage, distribution and end-use), this decentralised fuel-cell based philosophy shows some serious flaws. Therefore, a new hydrogen-transition approach was pushed forward: mixing in of hydrogen into the natural-gas bulk. Using Flanders – the Northern part of Belgium – as a case study, the development of a transitory hydrogen infrastructure has been studied, taking into account the entire hydrogen chain and its dynamics, from production to end use. In a next step, this transition is being quantified. An optimisation model has been developed using Matlab and the commercial solvers GAMS and CPLEX. Following a mixed-integer linear-programming approach, this model is able to determine the economically optimal hydrogen-production mix and operational behaviour of each hydrogen-production plant separately. The model then allows gaining valuable insights in the importance of storage and the influence of fuel prices and carbon taxes with regard to the development of an early hydrogen economy.status: publishe

Optimization model for sustainable electric-vehicle charging infrastructure

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